The Western Painted Turtle can be found all over North America, from Canada to Mexico. These turtles live near and in ponds, marshes, lakes, and rivers that don’t experience too much current.

The Western is just one species of Painted Turtle. There are also Eastern, Midland, and Southern Painted Turtles. They are all extremely similar when it comes to size, coloring, and lifestyle.

The Painted Turtle’s shell sheds as they grow to make room for new “skin” that will better protect them. The entire shell does not come off—just the top layer, which looks like a burned leaf. This is a normal process and shouldn’t be a cause for concern.